No. 14 - Forrest Gump (1994)

The world will never be the same once you've seen it through the eyes of Forrest Gump.

Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance-age 13) for drug use, sensuality and war violence

Director: Robert Zemeckis; Screenplay: Eric Roth, based on the novel by Winston Groom

Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field, Mykelti Williamson, Haley Joel Osment

Movie Introduction:

Slow-witted Forrest Gump (Hanks) has never thought of himself as disadvantaged, and thanks to his supportive mother (Field), he leads anything but a restricted life. Through mostly chance, Forest experiences extraordinary opportunities: a football star at Alabama, a soldier in Vietnam, a ping pong champion, a captain of a shrimp boat, and an owner of a successful company. Forrest inspires people with his childlike optimism. But one person Forrest cares about most may be the most difficult to save -- his childhood love, the sweet but troubled Jenny (Wright).

Defining Moment: "I know what love is."

The ever-searching Jenny once again returns to Forrest's Alabama home in Greenbow.  That evening she tells Forrest that she loves him.  Yet, he can tell that her is mostly out of pity. In a moment that is sure to dampen your eyes, he painfully explains that he does in fact understand that complicated emotion. (Click HERE to see the scene on YouTube)

Something subtle you might have missed:  Jenny's collapse

When Jenny returns to the dilapidated house she grew up in, she is filled with rage at all that her father had done to her. She hurls rocks and her shoes at the deserted house. She collapses on the ground in front of the house. Her on the ground is an image very familiar to me. That being one of my favorite Andrew Wyeth paintings, Christina's World. The story behind the painting is a tale within itself. A print of it hangs in my living room to this day. 

Memorable Quotes:

“I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floatin' around accidental-like on a breeze. But I think maybe it's both.” – Forrest Gump

"Mama always said, dying was a part of life. I sure wish it wasn't."– Forrest Gump

Dad's Review:

To me, more than any other film, Forrest Gump exemplifies the “American Experience”. This film is America, the good and bad, with its triumphs and failures, seen gloriously through both turbulent events and struggling characters.

The film's several story threads are brilliant. The main story follows the life of a sweet, loving simpleton raised in the South. His incredible journey takes him through the Vietnam War, Alabama's football program, the Louisiana shrimp business and an insane cross-country jog. It's incredible to witness, one by one, all the various events that Gump finds himself wrapped up in. Still Forrest just merrily focuses on the simple things: love, friendship, loyalty, his mother.

If only real life were that simple. Don't we sometimes wish we could see things like a child again...just a little?

Another thread follows Jenny, Forrest's childhood best friend. She comes from a very troubled home, and is always leaving Alabama, looking for the next drink, injection and dose of anything to help her forget her terrible past. We wonder if she will survive. We pray for her safety. 

Finally, we get to know Gump's grumpy Vietnam commander, Lt. Dan, who hails from a long line of military men who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. He bucked the trend, by surviving Vietnam, but the cost was the loss of both this legs.  This damaged now man hates everything: his life, his handicap, and even Forrest for saving his life back in the jungle. He should have died in the war like his family's heros!  Here is a man with every reason to NOT go on.  We pray for his redemption. 

I am sure some film critics and common folks feel the film is too corny. Not me.  I rather like the small touches: Sally Field as his mother, the Black Panther party, telling JFK he as to pee, “Shit Happens”. I think of these moments and smile warmly.

Tom Hanks was smack dab in the middle of his sea of endless hits: A League of Their Own, Philadelphia, Apollo 13 and Toy Story. The one-time comedic actor has transformed into Hollywood’s new "every man", following in the footsteps of acting legends like James Stewart and Spencer Tracy. This Academy Award winning film was another smart, albeit risky, choice for Hanks. He knocks it out of the park. He brings a pleasant charm to Forrest, and his portrayal is genius. In more than a few scenes, he brings tears to my eyes.

In closing I will modify my earlier assessment, Forrest Gump is not so much about America; America is the film's backdrop. It's more about our great country's people; those in pain, those finding forgiveness and those receiving redemption.  Forrest is our sweet, unbiased tour guide though this truly American story.

Onto No. 15... Franklin-Gal